Fifth-wheel



(No Model.) y W. T. CHBATHAM.

Y PITH WHEEL.

No. 396,265. Patented Jan. 15, 18189.a

UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE.

IVILLIAM THOS. CIIEATI'IAIWI, OF PULASKI, TENNESSEE.

FIFTH-WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 896,265, dated January 15, 1889. Applicationled 0012013615, 1888. Serial No. 287,264. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM TIIos. CHEAT- HAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pulaski, in the county of Giles and State of Tennessee,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fifth-VlTlieels, of whichl to the axle, prog ecting upward therefrom, and

forming the center of the circle.

D designates my improved head-block, composed of a T-shaped casting having the crossbar E and the coupling-plate F. The headblock is provided at the intersection of the cross-bar and the coupling-plate with a vertical opening for the reception of the king-bolt, as will be readilyT understood, and the end of the cross-bar and the front end of the coupling-plate rest on the circle, as shown.

To the under side of the coupling-plate, near the rear end of the same, I secure the brace or guide G, through which the circle passes, as shown, so that the coupling-plate will be prevented from oscillating vertically. On its upper side the coupling-plate is provided with the vertical ribs or flanges H, which are arranged in diverging pairs, as shown, the ribs of each pair being parallel. Between the ribs of each pair I secure the front ends of the perches or coupling-poles.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that I have provided a cheap and simple head-block, which rests firmly on the circle and has four points of bearing thereon, thereby securing great strength without a needless multiplication of parts. By having the front ends of the perches or coupling-poles secured between the ribs, as shown and described, the said coupling-poles are braced at the points where the securing-bolts pass through them, thereby overcoming the weakening of the poles by reason of the bolts passing therethrough. Although I have shown these ribs or anges, it will be readily understood that the casting may be formed with grooves in its upper side for the reception of the ends of perches or coupling-poles.

In Fig. 3 I have shown the coupling-plate as adapted especially for use on vehicles having a single perch or coupling-plate. In this form of my device the coupling-plate is provided with only one pair of ribs or flanges and extends rearward from the cross-bar in a straight line, instead of widening laterally and having diverging pairs of ribs, as in the previously-described form.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

The combination of the axle, the circle secured rigidly thereon, the king-bolt secured to the axle and projecting upward therefrom,

the head-block composed of a T-shaped casting having the cross-bar E and the couplingplate F, the said cross-bar being provided with a vertical opening for the reception of the kingbolt, and the coupling-plate being provided on its upper side with vertical ribs arranged in diverging pairs, and the guide for the circle secured to the under side of the coupling-plate, as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afxed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

VILLIAM THOS. CHEATHAM.

Vitnesses:

R. H. RAGsDALE, J. N CARTER. 

